12:23pm Tuesday 27th July 2010
By Steve Pratt
DIRECTOR Damian Cruden and writer Mike Kenny have teamed up for another family-friendly summer theatre production – although this could hardly be more different to The Railway Children.
For a start, it’s staged in the theatre not a railway shed, although the place is almost unrecognisable.
The theatre has been transformed with the stalls and stage covered over, with the inthe- round acting arena raised to the level of the circle and the audience seated on all sides.
Designers Catherine Chapman and Lydia Denno deck out theatre and foyer as woodland with the auditorium doubling as Toad’s stately home where Ratty, Mole and Badger recall their adventures.
I confess that I’m no fan of Wind in the Willows, having been scarred by seeing too many awful productions with children running around in animal masks.
The costumes here are marvellous, creature-like, but allowing the actors to create characters too. But does this production – co-directed by CrudenKatie Posner – make me overcome my indifference to Wind in the Willows? Up a point.
Adapter Mike Kenny fashions an episodic story that finally comes into its own after the interval as the friends lead an assault to rid Toad Hall of the vermin (led by Michael Lambourne’s suitably weasly Chief Weasel) occupying the place Robert Pickavance (Mole), Jonathan Race (Ratty) and Sarah Parks (Badger) find that right balance between human and animal instincts, while Martin Barrass as Mr Toad – great costume, by the way – certainly brings out the character’s comedic side, but I’ve always thought of Toad as more arrogant and irritating.
■ Until August 21. Tickets 01904-623568 and online yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/trade_directory/